The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1887-08-28
ms COKE. :


coal fields will be the manufacture
of coke. We deem it unnecessary
to enter into an explanation of the
caases which lead to this conclusion,
but we think time will justify it.
So let it be. The valley could be nc
more profitably employed, perhaps,
as a beginning of its progress and
enterprise, than in the production OF
good paying quality of coke. One
industry will attract another, and
two will encourage the incoming OF
others. and establishments of the
character likely to be thus attracted
hither would employ a great many
workmen, skilled and unskilled,
many of whom would doubtless be
brought into our midst along with
the machinery they will be expected
to operate. This will add to our
population from a most desirable
class of citizens and largely increase
the wealth of the country. Dull as
times now appear to be. with little
surface prospect of improvement,
it is nevertheless not at all improba-
BILE that the Monongahela river and
the two contributing streams above
will ere long have cast upon their
surface the glare from the open
mouths of thousands of coke ovens
built upon their banks. A beginning
has been made-comparatively slight
it is true, but nevertheless a begin
ming.
Mr.. Daniel Britain was for years
the President of the Moshannon
Coal Company and was a large op-
orator in the Clearfield coal region
of Pennsylvania, though then as now
resident of Philadelphia. He has
spent many years in the coal bust
ness, and has been quite successful
in the handling of the dusky dia-
monds. Not long since Mr.. Britain
came to this place, drawn here,
doubtless, by the reported coke pro-
ducing quality of our Monongahela
coal, and began quietly to make pur-
chases of coal territory in this sec
ton, with view to the manufacture
Of coke. A representative of this
paper had an interview Wednesday
evening with Mr.. p. b. Zentmyer,
the gentlemanly general superin-
tendent of Mr.. Brittain's works in
this section, from whom we obtained
a good deal of general information
as to future operations. In answer
to successive inquiries, Mr. Gent
myer informed US that Mr.. Brittain's
purchase in the vicinity of Catawba,
on the f. M. q p. railroad, amount
ed to about six hundred acres of
coal, in addition to which he has in
vested largely two miles east of Val
ley Falls on the B. & O., the latter
purchase being in Taylor county.
sit is Mr.. Brittain's intention" said
Mr.. Zentmyer, '.to devote his atten-
ton in this section exclusively to
coking. We shall put up fifty ovens
each at Clements station, ON the
Monongahela, and near Valley Falls
at once. We hope to complete them
before cold weather, but having
made late beginning, that may not
be possible"
"Shall you do anything this year
at any point below Clements?" we
asked.
81 think not" he responded, EEK
cept to construct about dozen
ovens at the lower mines. We have
one hundred men employed at the
Clements works at present. 1t is
not our purpose to attempt more
this fall than we now have under
way, though in all probability, in
deed, | may speak positively, more
extensive developments will be made
next year. We can have the winter
for experiments and make an early
in a practical way next
spring"
"Do you contemplate the erection
of dwelling houses at your works?"
we inquired.
"Oh, yes; we have already let the
contract for the building Of ten
large dwellings, five at each point;
but these improvements follow as
the necessity arises. I have no
doubt the number of dwellings will
be largely increased"
"Who are your assistants, Mr..
Zentmyer?"
"Mr Richard Dunn has charge at
Valley Falls, and my nephew, r. A.
is experimenting at Ca
tawba."
"What is the cost of building fifty
coke ovens?" we asked.
sit has been demonstrated that
one hundred ovens will cost about
$50, 900; one-half that number would
of course cost $4,000"
Mr.. Zentmyer spoke very encour-
agingly of future prospects here.
His opinion of the analysis made of
our coke is that it is shown to be
quite equal to the best products
and he sees no reason
why the output may not of itself be
of immense benefit to us as a COM
and by attracting capital
here for other purposes be of indirect
profit to the whole county. He
thinks that the more coke ovens we
have built the better it will be for
both people and operators. He is
believer in competition-and SO say
we all of us.-Faismont Vest Vir-
ginida.
A Public Nuisance.
There is no disposition to deny
those who come to town from the
country with their horses and wag
ons, any convenience or accommoda-
ton they may need.
There ought to be public provis-
ion at a proper place for standing